Monthly Current Affairs – January 2026 for Government Exams

📘 1️⃣ Introduction – Why January 2026 Matters for Exams

January 2026 was marked by Republic Day celebrations, major banking and pension reforms, economic milestone of India becoming the world’s 4th largest economy, defence indigenisation, space and AI breakthroughs, and intensive global diplomacy (EU, BRICS, Germany, Japan).

For competitive exams:

• Prelims: Schemes, rankings, reports, defence systems, days & dates
• Mains: Economic growth narrative, financial reforms, defence preparedness, global partnerships

📌 2️⃣ Explanation / Main Content (Month-Wise Consolidation)

🇮🇳 National Affairs

Governance, Culture & Infrastructure

• 77th Republic Day of India (26 January 2026) celebrated at Kartavya Path, New Delhi
  • Theme: 150 Years of Vande Mataram
  • Chief Guests: EU leaders
• Vice President’s Southern India visit focused on education, housing & cultural integration
• Jal Seva Aankalan launched under Jal Jeevan Mission shifting focus from infrastructure to service delivery
• Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 launched to ensure saturation of development indicators in Aspirational Districts
• Indian Railways achieved 99.2% electrification of broad-gauge network

Exam Angle: Governance reforms, decentralisation, infrastructure, water security

🏦 Banking & Finance

Key Reforms & Launches

• NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme launched as a Proof of Concept under Regulatory Sandbox
• Atal Pension Yojana (APY) extended till FY 2030–31
• RBI granted PA-CB licences to fintech firms for cross-border payments
• Small Savings Schemes rates kept unchanged for Q4 FY26
• India’s first Maritime NBFC launched to support shipping & logistics
• Digital Rupee (CBDC) integrated into banking payment gateways
• Gold ETF holdings made India the world’s 6th largest holder

Exam Angle: Pension reforms, digital banking, RBI regulations, fintech

📈 Economy & Business

Economic Milestones

• India became the world’s 4th largest economy
  • GDP: USD 4.18 trillion
  • Overtook Japan
• GDP Growth Projections:
  • FY26: 7.4% (NSO)
  • FY27: 6.9% (India Ratings)
• Retail Inflation (Dec 2025): 1.33%
• Forex Reserves: USD 686.2 billion
• Market Access Support (MAS) Scheme launched to boost exports

Exam Angle: Economy rankings, GDP projections, inflation, exports

🛡️ Defence & Security

Defence Modernisation

• MoD defence contracts worth ₹4,666 crore signed
• Kavach 4.0 (Automatic Train Protection system) commissioned with SIL-4 safety
• Bhairav Drone Warfare Force announced by Indian Army
• Suryastra Rocket System inducted (Range: 150–300 km)
• Pralay Missile tested (Range: 150–500 km)
• 2026 declared as Indian Army’s Year of Networking & Data Centricity

Exam Angle: Defence systems, indigenisation, missile ranges

🔬 Science & Technology

• ISRO tested enhanced SSLV-SS3
• India’s space economy valued at USD 8.4 billion, target USD 44 billion by 2033
• India’s first 3D-printed Automatic Weather Station under Mission Mausam
• Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 released with 3,340 monographs
• Sovereign AI Park announced with major investments

Exam Angle: Space policy, AI, scientific publications

🌱 Environment & Agriculture

• India became world’s largest rice producer (2024–25)
• 184 new crop varieties released
• New snake species discovered in Mizoram
• Carbon Credit Trading Scheme expanded to new sectors

Exam Angle: Agriculture productivity, biodiversity, climate policy

🌍 International Affairs

• India–EU relations strengthened with FTA conclusion
• India assumed BRICS Chairship 2026
• Bulgaria became 21st Eurozone member
• India–Germany, India–Japan strategic dialogues held
• India–Pakistan nuclear installations list exchanged (35th time)

Exam Angle: Global diplomacy, trade agreements, multilateral groupings

🏅 Awards, Sports & Culture

• Khelo India Winter Games 2026 held in Ladakh
• Magnus Carlsen won World Rapid & Blitz Chess 2025
• Kaamya Karthikeyan became youngest Indian to ski to South Pole
• Padma Awards 2026 announced (131 awardees)

🧑‍💼 Appointments & State News

• Key appointments across banking, judiciary, defence & administration
• Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme launched
• Radio Sangam FM launched in Jammu & Kashmir

📊 3️⃣ Important Tables (Exam-Friendly)

India – Economic Snapshot (January 2026)

Major Defence Systems

⭐ 4️⃣ Key Highlights (Monthly Trends)

1. India crossed major economic and defence milestones
2. Banking reforms focused on digital payments & pensions
3. Defence indigenisation accelerated
4. AI & space economy gained policy push
5. Global diplomacy dominated Republic Day month

🧠 📌 One-Liner Points for Quick Monthly Revision (25)

1. India became world’s 4th largest economy in Jan 2026
2. GDP size reached USD 4.18 trillion
3. APY extended till FY 2030–31
4. Jal Seva Aankalan deadline was 26 Jan 2026
5. Kavach 4.0 operates at SIL-4 safety
6. India chaired BRICS in 2026
7. Bulgaria became 21st Eurozone member
8. Indian Army declared 2026 Year of Networking
9. Pralay missile range is 150–500 km
10. Suryastra rocket range up to 300 km
11. Space economy valued at USD 8.4 billion
12. Target space economy by 2033: USD 44 billion
13. India largest rice producer globally
14. 184 new crop varieties released
15. Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 has 3,340 monographs
16. Khelo India Winter Games held in Ladakh
17. Padma Awards 2026 had 131 awardees
18. Digital Rupee expanded in banking
19. RBI granted new PA-CB licences
20. Carbon Credit Trading expanded
21. India–EU FTA concluded
22. Gold ETF holdings made India 6th largest globally
23. Mission Mausam supported weather infra
24. India–Pakistan nuclear list exchanged 35th time
25. Republic Day 2026 theme: 150 Years of Vande Mataram

🔗 Useful JobsMe Resources

• Monthly Current Affairs: https://jobsme.in/category/monthly-current-affairs
• https://jobsme.in/posts/monthly-current-affairs
• Weekly Current Affairs: https://jobsme.in/category/weekly-current-affairs
• Daily CA Free Quizzes: https://jobsme.in/quizzes/daily-current-affairs
• Static GK: https://jobsme.in/category/static-gk
• Latest Govt Jobs: https://jobsme.in/jobs

✅ Preparation Tip

Revise this Monthly Current Affairs once, practice Daily & Weekly quizzes, and consolidate with Static GK to maximise accuracy in UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways & Defence exams.